Curated Playlist: Exploring Caribbean Connections - Dutch

 Ir-Sais

Irgwin Placido Sluis AKA Ir-Sais was born on the Caribbean Island of Bonaire. His interest in music started when he was just 7 years old. Although he never attended school, he still has the ability to play many different instruments. Although the instruments that he can play are unspecified, it was stated that he began playing the drums on tin cans when he was 11 and has since become proficient and is known for his drumming skills. He primarily sings lead vocals in his live performances. In 2009, Ir-Sias moved from Bonaire to the Netherlands at the age of 20 and started releasing various albums through his own label Placido. Ir-Sais has found an Impressive way to combine Hip Hop, Pop, Reggae, Zouk and Latin Pop to create a new sound. His songs feature a musical style called Ritmo Kombina which translates to "Combined Rhythms" in Papiamento. Many of his songs have now accumulated more than 1 billion streams and views to date. We are going to look into a few of those songs in this playlist.

The first song in this playlist will be Dream Girl. This song caught the attention of a French DJ LY Prod from Paris who used the song on his Instagram. The song instantly went viral and inspired the Dream Girl TikTok challenge. The challenge portrayed participants covering their faces with both hands and moving their hips from side to side. The challenge was executed by thousands of users on the app which lead to the song going viral globally. The Reggaeton song is performed in Ir-Sais' native language Papiamento. Loosely translated it is a love song about his ideal woman. The lyrics express the artists' love for the woman that is listening. He expresses that she is the only one for him, there is no one else like her and that he loves her. She is his dream girl.

The next song on this playlist is called ABC. This song was performed by Ir-Sais and featured Rocco Flava and D. A. N. D. O. The song ABC also performed in Papiamento, is about Ir-Sias' love for his home, the ABC islands. The singer expresses that once you are from the Caribbean islands particularly Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, it is always in you. It is in your soul. The music will hit you and make you dance and before you know it, you are moving your body to the rhythm, similar to a snake.  This is a love song, a tribute to the island that once was and will always be his home. The video for the song portrays beautiful imagery of the islands, Local dances and activities that can be enjoyed there. The song and video are both beautiful and makes me want to visit. 

Konsentra by Poke features Ir-Sais. This song was performed in a mix of Papiamento and English that makes it fun to listen and dance, and it makes it so fun to sing along. The title of the song translates to Concentrate/Focus and it is all around a fun song. The lyrics are repetitive and are simply telling the female target that she needs to concentrate.  When he is with her, its about his body. She doesn't have to worry about anything else. The song explains that if she wants to be with a Caribbean guy, she has to be genuine, honest and real, and if she can not do that, she can leave.

The next song takes a step away from love and looks more at loss. Luna meaning Moon was performed by Vadhir and Ir-Sais. This song explores themes of longing, heartbreak and the regret of messing up in a past relationship. The lyrics use the moon to metaphorically explain a unique ad cherished love and a desire for reconciliation and understanding. The singer explains that the moon that shines on him, is the same as the one that hugs her. He urges his target audience to understand that like the moon, she is the only one. He loves her, he admits that he messed up but hopes that she will understand and forgive him. 

Do you need a little break from Papiamento? Understood. I feel the vibe in the songs and appreciate the beauty, but I want to give you a little palette cleanser. I know you're somewhere out there, somewhere far away. I want you back. My neighbors think I'm crazy, but, they don't understand. You're all I had. The next song in this playlist is the first song that came to mind when I looked into the lyrics of Luna. Talking to the moon is rhythm and blues anthem performed by American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars. This song made it into the playlist because it gives the same feeling and vibe of Luna. Living life with regret and heartbreak just hoping that the person they are longing for is thinking about them, too.

 

Okay! Break is over. Let's get back to our featured artist for a quick minute. This next song makes me think of dance parties at Comfort Hall (Jamaica Reference). The song Chikita Mala which translates to Bad Girl/Trouble maker tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a woman whom his family and friends may not approve of. But, he finds her so attractive. The song is performed primarily in Papiamento with one line sung in English, "body so sweet so crazy". This song has a beautiful Caribbean vibe that makes you want to grab a partner and "catch a wine".

Speaking of catching a wine (lol), Chikita Mala made me think of a song that I definitely should not have been listening to when it came out. Turn me on is a dancehall song performed by Jamaican Reggae artists Kevin Lyttle and Alison Hinds. Both songs share the same premise. Seeing someone that is so attractive that you are ready to risk it all. "Let me hold you, girl caress my body, you've got me going crazy. Turn me on." This song came out in 2003, but I remember my aunties playing these songs at parties after we were supposed to be in bed. Both songs portray beautiful imagery, effortless dancing and men willing to risk it all for women they just met.

The final song in this playlist is by far my favorite song by the featured artist. following the theme of the last two songs, Midnight Boom captures the energetic and passionate experience of a late night encounter. The use of the repeated Boom Boom Boom expresses the excitement and heartbeat of that moment. The song is primarily sung in Papiamento with the exception on one line sung in English "you look fine and sweet" showing admiration and appreciation. With the right amount of bass, you can feel the a pulse so strong, you'll think it's your heartbeat. It makes me think of the way you can feel junkanoo in your soul rather than just the body.

That brings us to the of this playlist. I had so much fun looking into the Dutch Caribbean artist Ir-Sais. There were so many songs that i wanted to add, that would have made this far to long. I hope you enjoy listening to this as much as I enjoyed making it.

Bibliography

Google Translate. Google Search, Google, www.google.com/search Accessed 8 June 2025.

TRANSSION: LHX. “The Catch-Up: Ir Sais & Anselmo Ralph Talk “Chikita Mala” | Boombuzz.” Boomplay Music - WebPlayer, 2023, www.boomplay.com/buzz/3705783. Accessed 10 June 2025.

“VADHIR, Ir Sais - Luna Lyrics Translation in English | Musixmatch.” Musixmatch.com, 2021, www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/VADHIR-Ir-Sais/Luna/translation/english. Accessed 8 June 2025.

                 

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